Urlacher: It starts with Philly

A loss Sunday won't eliminate the 2-4 Bears from playoff contention mathematically, but realistically it just might.

"We don't have any (margin for error)," said linebacker Brian Urlacher, who deviated from his usual schedule by practicing Friday. "We have to win now.

"Ten usually gets you in the playoffs. We'd like to win 12, but we've got to get to 10 for sure to try and get in the playoffs.

"It starts with Philly; one game at a time. We've put ourselves behind the 8-ball. We have to make some plays, we have to win some games and just find some way to get it done."

To reach 10 wins, the Bears need to go 8-2 over their final 10 games, but coach Love Smith refuses to look that far down the road.

"I think we need to go 1-0 this weekend," Smith said. "That's as far as we're going to look. With all of our preparation we have one team in mind: Philadelphia, and that's enough to occupy all of our time."

The hunted: Defensive tackle Tommie Harris has discovered that getting to the top is easier than staying there.

"It's one of those things that you heard a lot, but now it's really coming to fruition," Harris said. "It's very difficult to stay on top.

"Getting there, that's fun, but staying on top is difficult because everyone is going to play their best game against you. They're going to practice harder. I think we get everyone's best shot, just like when I was at the University of Oklahoma."

Heart and soul: Brian Urlacher doesn't use injuries as an excuse for poor play, but even he admits the season-ending loss of safety Mike Brown was difficult.

"As far as I'm concerned, he's the best player in the NFL," Urlacher said of the 2005 Pro Bowl pick. "I've played with him for eight years, and the guy makes plays all over the field.

"Losing him definitely hurt us as a defense, and emotionally he's one of our leaders and team captains. Losing him hurt us, but at the same time, you have to have guys step up and make plays and do a good job."

Injury update: Nate Vasher (groin) and defensive tackles Darwin Walker (sprained knee) and Tommie Harris (hamstring) were the only players on the injury report.

Harris practiced, while Walker was limited and Vasher was inactive at Friday's practice.

This is as healthy as the Bears have been as a team since before the loss to the Cowboys.

"That's how you want it," Lovie Smith said. "You want to be able to go into battle with your best guys."

Harris was listed as questionable, as was Walker, while Vasher was doubtful for Sunday's game.

For the Eagles, Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins and tight end L.J. Smith are doubtful, while offensive left tackle Williams Thomas is questionable.

Learning on the job: Seventh-round rookie Trumaine McBride will get his second NFL start Sunday in place of Nate Vasher.

Veteran Ricky Manning Jr. will remain at the nickel corner spot, covering the slot receiver in passing situations.

McBride and Manning started in Detroit in the 37-27 loss to the Lions when Vasher and Charles Tillman each were sidelined with injuries.